A man who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
